Plenty of Maryland authors write and illustrate books. Some write about their favorite things. Others make up the worlds they write about. Some work as co-authors with another writer. Some dont do the writing; instead they illustrate, bringing someone elses words to life with the pictures they create. Here are some of the ways Maryland authors write and illustrate books that Maryland kids love:

Make Writing an Adventure:Annapolis resident Bianca Lavies was a photographer for National Geographic Magazine before she began writing and illustrating childrens books. Her books have been about armadillos and killer bees, snakes and salmon and tundra swans. Shes adventured around the world taking photos, and she wrote a book about wasps she studied at her own home. No matter what you write about, make it an adventure!

Write About What You Know:Elizabeth Spires is a poet who lives in Baltimore. She wrote a picture book called The Big Meow that encourages kids to Listen to your tiny voice: Be brave. And  maybe because she teaches and writes poetry  shes also written a book, The Mouse of Amherst, that tells the fictional story of a mouse named Emmaline, who just happens to meet a poet named Emily Dickinson. Together, they find magic in words.

Write About What You Love:Lois Szymanskis favorite book when she was young was Misty of Chincoteague. Since then, this Maryland childrens author has written a whole herd of books about horses (and other topics). She still keeps horses of her own.

Write With Someone Else:Writer Anne Tyler is famous for her novels about Baltimore. When she decided to write a childrens book, she found a partner to work on it with: her daughter, Mitra Modarressi. Anne Tyler wrote the story for Tumble Tower, and Mitra did the illustrations. Since then, Mitra has written and illustrated childrens books on her own.

Write About the Bay:Maryland author Priscilla Cummings is author of the Chadwick the Crab series, including Chadwick the Crab, Chadwick Forever, Meet Chadwick and His Chesapeake Friends  plus other books about the Bay and other subjects. Why not invent your own series about an osprey or a heron or an oyster? You could write as E.B. White did about a mute swan in danger. Or about a kid who goes fishing during rockfish season. The Bays the limit!

If You Dont Want to Write, Make Pictures:Annapolitan Lisa McCue is the illustrator for the popular Corduroy series of childrens picture books. You can illustrate stories  your own or stories that someone else makes up  any way you want: Draw, paint, take photographs, make collages. Only your imagination sets the limit on what you can do.

If You Dont Write or Illustrate, You Still Get to Vote:Maryland offers two prizes in childrens literature each year, and both prize winners are decided by Marylands kids. The BlackEyed Susan Award and the Maryland Childrens Book Award Program are coordinated through schools, asking students to decide which books are their favorites  from preschool picture books up through high school. Start a book club with your friends and vote on the books that youve liked reading the best this summer.

Kids Stuff This Week

Saturday, July 26Butterfly HikeKids ages 10+ flit and float your way with the butterflies of Maryland on a three-mile hike+. Bring water and a field guide. 8:30-11am @ Patuxent Research Refuge Visitor Center, North Tract, Rt. 198 between Bal/Wash Pkwy and Rt. 32. free; rsvp: 301/497-5887  patuxent.fws.gov.

Monday, July 28American MusicKids of all ages go on an American musical journey with musician Barbara Martin. Sing traditional songs and clap different rhythms. 1:30pm, 3 & 7pm @ Annapolis Public Library, West St. free; 410/222-1750.